Intellectual and Attentional Characteristics of Children with Celiac Disease after Initiation of a Gluten-Free Diet

The association of celiac disease (CD) with various cognitive and behavioral symptoms has been reported, but findings are mixed and inconclusive. This prospective study aimed to evaluate whether elimination of gluten in children with newly diagnosed CD leads to improvement in cognitive and behavioral functioning particularly related to attention after 6 months of a gluten-free diet (GFD). Thirty-three patients completed the study. Parent ratings of child behavior and direct assessment of child intelligence and attentional characteristics were collected. Parent reported scores on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) demonstrated improvement in somatic symptoms and attentional characteristics after 6 months of GFD. Between 6-33% of the patients showed improvement in the 4 different attentional characteristics evaluated by the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT3). We conclude that parent ratings support improvement in somatic symptoms and attentional characteristics in celiac patients once on a GFD for 6 months.